Hawaiian Roll French Toast Puffs: The Ultimate Breakfast Upgrade

The irresistible charm of Hawaiian Rolls—fluffy and perfect on their own, or the ultimate foundation for delicious sandwiches. There are so many ways to enjoy these sweet rolls, but we’ve just discovered a game-changing breakfast twist: Hawaiian Roll French Toast Puffs.

If this sounds familiar, it might be because of IHOP's 2018 offering: the King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast. That version sliced the rolls in half to create longer, flatter toast slices. Chef Candace on TikTok has reimagined this by keeping the rolls whole, transforming them into thick, pillowy, four-sided French toast puffs that are perfect for dipping in maple syrup.

We did notice one small flaw in Chef Candace's recipe: the bread’s interior was a little dry. To elevate it to the next level of indulgence, we decided to stuff the rolls with a combination of whipped cream (the canned kind) and a strawberry-cream-cheese filling. The result? Even more divine than we could have imagined. What are you waiting for?

Here's how to make Hawaiian Roll French Toast Puffs

Recipe inspired by Chef Candace

• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 (12-roll) package of Hawaiian Rolls
• ½ cup softened cream cheese
• ½ cup jam of choice (I used strawberry)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• Maple syrup, for serving

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then whisk until fully incorporated.
2. Heat a buttered skillet over medium heat. Dip each roll into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s well coated on all sides. Place the rolls in the skillet, cooking about 4 at a time. Let them cook for 30-45 seconds per side, or until golden brown. Remove from the heat and repeat with the remaining rolls.
3. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and jam until well blended. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a piping tip. Insert the tip into the center of each roll and gently squeeze until the filling begins to ooze out. Repeat for all rolls.
4. Sprinkle the French toast puffs with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Serve immediately.